Birds are beautiful creatures and make wonderful pets. For someone considering getting a pet, there are numerous species of birds that you can keep as pets. While taking care of your bird, you may notice some behaviors, such as the bird laying on its back; it’s important to know why they are performing these behaviors.
So, what does it mean when a bird lays on its back? Some birds, such as parrots, will sleep on their back to show trust. When you hold it in your hand, it might lay on its back with its feet up. Others will lay on their back when they are sick or injured. Sometimes, laying on its back does not mean anything; a bird will lay on its back and sleep just like human beings. Therefore, it may be uncommon for a bird to lay on its back, but when they do, there is always a reason why.
Your bird cannot tell you whether something is wrong or right. However, you can read your bird’s body language to understand what it’s feeling or wants. Keep reading to find out if birds can lay on their backs if they get tired of standing, and how to know a bird is dying.
Do Birds Lay on Their Backs?
Most birds spend their time flying or perched on top of trees, buildings, or utility lines. In captivity, their enclosure will have a branch or pole where the bird spends most of its time perched. Different pets take different positions while resting, and you might be wondering if birds can lay on their backs.
Sometimes, birds lay on their backs. However, it is not common for birds to do that; hence, the reason why most people will panic if they find their bird lying in its back. Your bird may lay on its back due to several reasons. Firstly, it may lay on its back if it has injured its feet. If a bird injures its feet, it can either lay on its back or its side. Feet are very important to a bird. If a bird gets hurt, moving around would be difficult, and those who can fly will have difficulty starting to fly. If you find your bird lying on its back, check it for injuries and take it to a vet if it is injured.
If your pet was in the wild, they’d have to be cautious to avoid getting attacked by predators. When your bird lays on its back, it can mean that it feels safe and trusts you. In the wild, a bird laying on its back is easy prey. It is vulnerable to attacks because it cannot get away fast when a predator approaches it.
A bird will lay on its back when you are holding it or when you approach its cage. However, not all birds do it, and parrots can lie on their back if trained. You can train it to lie on its back, but it will take some time.
Another reason why a bird will lay on its back is if it is sick. Numerous signs will tell you your bird is unwell. One of them is lying on its back, and sickness can make a bird weak. Therefore, your bird lacks the energy to stand or perch for a long time. It will lay on its back and might refuse to stand up or fly even if you touch it. If you find your bird lying on its back and refuse to wake up, take it to a vet immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Sometimes, a bird will lay on its back when it is playful, once it gets accustomed to your presence. Most pet birds are social and might want to play from time to time. Therefore, when you hold them in your hand, they will lie on their back and hold on to your finger with their feet. Baby conures love to lay on their back, roll around, and wrestle with their feet. If you own one, it could be a fun activity.
Some birds also sleep while lying on their backs. It is rare because most birds sleep or rest either by laying on their belly or standing up. Juvenile conures will sleep on their back, but they usually stop once they reach maturity. A bird laying on its back might not necessarily mean it Is in danger; however, it is important to check it.
Here’s a table of popular birds show whether they can lie on their backs
| BIRD | POSSIBILITY |
| Parrots | Yes (If trained) |
| Parakeets | Yes (during playtime) (if trained) |
| Cockatiels | Yes (If trained) |
| Canaries | No |
| Conures | Yes (Mostly Juveniles) |
| Finches | No |
| Doves | Yes (When Sick or Injured) |
Do Birds Get Tired of Standing?
Getting enough rest is important for all animals. After a long day at work, people go home to rest, and some will sit down while others will lie down to take a nap. Birds also require rest, and they have different ways of doing it.
Birds do get tired of standing if they have been doing it for a long time. Birds have strong endurance and can go for long periods without laying down. Some people who own parrots wonder if their birds ever get tired because they always find their birds standing or flying. Birds like flamingos can stand on one leg for a long time and even go to sleep. Birds will rest their legs once they get to a place, they feel secure and comfortable.
If you decide to keep birds as pets, you need to provide them with an area to rest. Standing for long periods is not good, even if your birds seem to do it with ease. When a bird gets tired, it will fly to its nest or a tree and rest. You can install a perch stand or podium where your bird can rest or sleep. If your bird’s enclosure does not have a comfortable resting spot, your bird will keep standing.
How Do You Know a Bird Is Dying?
Losing a pet is a difficult moment, and it is an inevitable feeling that all pet owners know they will have to face at some point. A bird cannot tell you that it is dying. However, numerous signs can tell you your bird is about to die.
One sign that will show you a bird is dying is reluctance or inability to fly properly. Most flying birds, when approached, will fly away. If your bird is sick, it will stay in one position for a long time. If you take it out of its enclosure, it may not fly far, or it will refuse to fly. The bird might also have difficulty walking, and it will limp if it wants to move to another spot.
Another sign is trouble breathing. A dying bird will start puffing, panting, wheezing, or breathing rapidly. You might also see your bird moving its tail up and down and stretching its neck as it tries to get more air into its lungs. They will also keep their beaks open. Respiratory complications are common in birds and, if not treated in time, could be fatal.
Lack of appetite is another sign that your bird could be dying. Birds love to eat and eating little to nothing could mean that your bird is in bad shape. Your bird will start to lose weight and will become weak as more days pass without food. Lack of nutrition means that your bird will have a weak immune system, and any illness could be fatal. If your bird stops eating, it is a sign of illness, and you need to take it to a vet for treatment immediately.
Another sign is shivering and shaking. A bird approaching death will start to shiver and shake, and it could be mistaken as being cold. In some birds, the shaking is more severe, and you might think your bird is having a seizure. At this stage, there is not much you can do. You can keep your bird in its enclosure or if they are several, take it away to someplace where it can die without infecting the others.
Another sign is silence. Most pet birds are vocal and will spend most of their time during the day chirping, screeching, or mimicking the sounds around them. If your bird is usually noisy and suddenly becomes silent, there could be something wrong with it. You might enjoy the quiet, but your bird could be ill or depressed, and if it is not treated immediately, it could die.
Finally
Birds make perfect pets for most people and taking care of them means learning what their behaviors mean. If your bird is doing something unusual, like laying on its back, you need to check it. Your bird might be resting or sleeping, but, sometimes, laying on its back could be caused by illness or injuries. Birds have excellent stamina and can stand for a long time. You can put some perch stand in your bird’s enclosure to ensure it does not get tired from standing too long.
Birds exhibit several signs when they are about to die. If you notice any of the signs discussed in this article, take your bird to a veterinarian immediately, you may save your bird’s life.
